What is a Space Maintainer Appliance?

If a baby tooth is lost before the adult tooth has erupted, a space maintainer may be needed.

Space maintainers hold the space for adult teeth to erupt into. They are custom-made for your mouth and are either permanent or removable.

Why do I need this?

When there is nothing to hold the space, the teeth will shift together and block erupting adult teeth from growing into the proper position.

How does it work?

First, an impression is taken of your child’s mouth and then the space maintainer is made from that mold. The appliance is then placed in the mouth. If it’s to be cemented, bands are cemented to adult molars. When the nearby adult teeth erupt, the cemented appliance can be easily removed.

Types of Space Maintainers